Bird Watching

Small tropical pet birds – How to ensure suitable protection during Winter

It’s already the middle of September.  Autumn will be upon us before we know it, soon followed by winter.  You need to be sure your so called tropical pet birds are protected from the worst that winter can throw at us.  If last winter is anything to go by, we’re in for a lot of snow.  How can you be sure your small pet birds can survive the harsh conditions?

Small pet birds are more vulnerable because of their small size so their metabolisms will cool down more quickly.  With larger pet birds this is less of a problem but even they are vulnerable in harsh winter conditions.  However you’d be surprised at how hardy your tropical pet birds are; for example, many small tropical pet birds originate from Australia and it does get mighty cold at night in certain areas of the country but they survive OK.  This doesn’t mean you should skimp on giving your small pet birds adequate protection for the winter time though.

Yes your small pet birds are quite hardy, but don’t risk it.  I’m sure you’ve noticed that when the weather is freezing you are usually quite comfortable as long as you’re not wet or there’s no wind.  It’s the same with your tropical pet birds, as long as they are dry and free from draughts they will usually be fine.  Just make sure they’ve got their stomachs filled, so a generous and continuous supply of food is essential.  Your tropical pet birds will need plenty of food to build up their fat reserves to help protect them from the cold.

Please note also that small pet birds like finches do need to eat more often to keep up their fat and energy levels.  Unfortunately these types of birds will only eat if there is light enough for them to see what they are doing.  Don’t let them go for more than eight hours at a time maximum without light.  Incorporating some type of artificial lighting into their aviary will ensure they are able to eat as they should.  A timed switch that turns the light on or off at set times is an excellent idea.

If your tropical pet birds are housed in an outdoor aviary and have been breeding you must prevent them from breeding more into the winter.  Raising chicks wears your birds down and uses up a lot of their food supply.  So once they have raised a couple of clutches during the Summer you need to remove their nest boxes once the chicks have flown the nest to prevent your small pet birds from laying again.  This then gives them time to build up their reserves in time for the onslaught of cold weather that is sure to come their way.  Also young chicks would certainly not survive the cold.

You can incorporate some type of artificial heating into your tropical pet birds’ aviary but it must be safe for them, so no fossil fuels like gas, coal, or paraffin for example.  However this is not necessary as long as the aviary is dry and free from cold draughts.

During late summer or early autumn you must inspect your aviary for any signs of wear or damage; this gives you time to make any necessary repairs before it’s too late, plus it’ll save you having to work on your aviary in the cold.  Ensure your aviary is secure, draught free, and water tight and your small pet birds will be fine.

 

About the Author

‘Stanton Birdman’

Keeper and breeder of small pet birds for over a decade.

Get your free pet bird eBook by visiting http://stantonbirdman.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/survival-manual-2nd-draft.pdf

For more information about pet birds please visit my pet bird blog site at http://www.StantonBirdman.wordpress.com/

Pick up my pet bird keeping eBook at http://www.birdkeepingsecrets.com/

To your pet bird keeping success!

 

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